Born in Mt Clemens and growing up in Roseville, Scott Randall has been active on the rock and roll scene for over 30 years. A collector of jukeboxes and classic pinball machines, he also sings in his own classic rock band “CHIT” doing shows all over the Motor City. Scott began at his high school station WPHS at Cousino High School in Warren. As an aspiring broadcasting professional, he was also spinning tunes as the deejay at the Great Skate in Roseville until it was suggested that he might take his talent to the next level. Attending the nationally-recognized broadcasting school Specs Howard, he was able turn his craft into a lifelong career.

Metro Detroit has a rich history of world-class broadcasting that has grown up right along with the Detroit rock music industry, creating a legendary list of radio personalities. In 1971, WRIF became a trendsetter in the album-oriented rock format and is today, the broadcasting home to one of Detroit’s premier rock and roll personalities, Screamin’ Scott Randall. You can hear him at 101.1 on the FM dial every Monday through Friday occupying the 7pm to 12 am space with his own brand of on air entertainment.

His first professional broadcasting job was in Wapakoneta Ohio, living above a record store (literally taking his work home) while he was spinning hits on WAX 92 in 1983. He then moved to an oldies station outside of Fort Wayne Indiana, in the small town of Decatur. His backyard at the time was a drive-in movie theater that offered him off-air entertainment when getting home. This is all in preparation for his final trip back to the metro Detroit area. Reconnecting to where he started, Roseville, where the memories take him back to early childhood and teenage years. Taking his now highly refined disc jockeying skills to the biggest rock clubs in Detroit like New York New York and The Ritz, he embarked on the beginning of his career today as the personality of Detroit’s rock and roll radio. His region-wide introduction to the Detroit market began as the morning host at WDZR 102.7 Z Rock. As a final-destination, he found his way to the home of rock and roll at WRIF and back to the city of Roseville.

When he talks about Roseville, he talks with a smile about growing up and currently lives comfortably not far from the Macomb Mall. Scott will tell you about the wonderful history of Roseville, from the Mall, The Gratiot Drive-In Theater and taking the bus all over the east side exploring with his friends. From a memory standpoint, he misses the Gratiot Drive In, according to Scott, it was one of the world’s largest screens with a three-tier waterfall facing the street that made it a unique place. He mentions the Roseville Movie Theater and how he wishes the city would take it over and make it a family oriented venue. He says it would be great for local theater groups and the community. Underscoring his appreciation for his home, he says “It’s safe and always a good vibe. A lot of families live in Roseville.” The city has a bright future with dedicated residents that are happy to call it their home.

He’s very fond of local Roseville artist Gonzo, whose studio is located at Utica and Gratiot, further stating that he’s helpful to the city by feeding the homeless. He loves eating at Dooley’s and the classic atmosphere at family-owned Mr. Paul’s Chop House, emphasizing that it’s always a wonderful experience.

His favorite Roseville spot however, is the Macomb Mall. Newly remodeled and a symbol of Roseville’s renewal, this is also home to many memories for Scott. He recalls the first time he saw Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny, back to school shopping, entertainment, and the numerous carnivals that came through the mall in the summer. In recalling other key memories, like the first time he played a pinball machine, he remembers the stores that once graced the hallways of the Macomb Mall – the Cunningham Drug Store, Montgomery Wards, Crowley’s and the Crowley’s Lunch Counter.

In addition to his legendary career, Scott is also an active philanthropist. With the help of the radio station, he started The Screamin Angels, an organization that gives back to the community for a variety of causes throughout the year. Scott Randall, local legend and dedicated resident – thanks for making Macomb your home.

The need for trained and talented IT professionals in Michigan is growing by leaps and bounds. According to CompTIA, a not-for-profit computing technology association, the Michigan IT sector grew by more than five percent in 2016 adding nearly 11,000 new jobs. That brings the estimated number of workers employed in technology in Michigan to almost 222,000. This increasing demand for trained workers is not going to stop. To meet this need, it is more important than ever to have accredited educational programs in place to continue to fill the pipeline of educated IT professionals.

Macomb Community College has stepped up to help students join the IT ranks with seven programs designed to provide students with the necessary education and hands-on experience to prosper in this growing economic segment. Employment in each of the sectors focused on by Macomb is expected to grow by at least 12 to 28 percent by 2020.

“Technology is a huge part of our daily lives,” said Robert Banta, professor, Information Technology. “That fact isn’t going to change. Every day we see more and more students looking to take advantage of this burgeoning segment to build a better future for themselves.”

Macomb’s programs include:

The IT Professional program, designed for students new to the IT world seeking entry-level positions and for experienced workers looking to move up the ladder. This program covers web design, basic programming and networking and delivers a background understanding of Windows-based applications including word processing, spreadsheet applications, presentations, and database management.

The Information Technology Programming specialty is for students who are interested in becoming programmers responsible for writing, testing and maintaining computer program source code. The specialty prepares students for career paths as application or computer programmers.

Students who are interested in a career path in network security should explore Macomb’s Network Security Professional program. This emphasis focuses on the measures organizations take to protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of data.

Network administration is also growing specialty. Students pursuing this career path in Macomb’s Microsoft Enterprise Administrator program will receive training specific to the administration of Windows client and servers for organizations of all sizes. The program contains the education and hands-on training needed to pursue a Microsoft network administration certification.

The Website Programming emphasis provides students with training in website design and architecture, search engine optimization and website development, deployment and maintenance. When completing this program, students will have the skills necessary web coding and programming techniques.

Offered in partnership with Cisco Systems, Inc., the Cisco Network Associate program prepares students to take the Cisco Certified Network Associate exam, a certification that attests to an individual’s ability to install, configure and troubleshoot Cisco network communication equipment.

Students interested in designing, developing and programming computer games should check out Macomb’s Programming for Electronic Games program. Combining elements of advanced physics and artificial intelligence, 3D graphics, and digitized sound, students acquire specialized skills that can lead to successful careers in computer gaming and the production of training materials including computerized simulators.

“There is a bright future just waiting for our students who want to enter the IT world,” said Banta. “At Macomb, we are committed to help them find the pathway that is perfect for them and help them continue to grow and prosper in this very healthy economic sector.”

Warren-based Proper Group International, has kept its innovating spirit going throughout every market condition since their inception in 1971. They started with a commitment to high quality precision molds over 40 years ago and grew through continuous product and process innovation. The Proper Group is now moving into the technology and consumer goods space. Their latest technology development makes manufacturing smarter. Their newest corporate partnership brings the precision, for which they are known in the auto industry, to consumers in their own backyard and backyards across the country.

Whether you are into hunting, fishing, camping, boating, backyard bbq hosting, travel sports, local softball or tailgating, you can always use a better cooler. If you’d like that cooler made in the U.S. – and even better – in Detroit, there is a cooler just for you.

Otterbox, the national retailer known for its indestructible phone covers, has begun to sell high-end coolers and they choose The Proper Group’s Polymers Division to create the product. Thanks to the tough design and refrigerator-grade mold from Proper Polymers, these coolers keep ice for up to 14 days and can resist the claws of a hungry bear (actually bear-tested).

In addition to the new OtterBox coolers, The Proper Group has developed a product for manufacturing companies to digitize their tooling programs. ToolStats, which is based on barcode technology, creates a digital profile for your tools to track and manage the full life of the tool without a single sheet of paper. HP Inc, Flex, Magna, GE Appliances, Brose and Varroc Lighting Systems are a few of the companies signed on for ToolStats.

Manufacturers in the Detroit area have been producing high-quality products for 100 years. Most often, we associate these products with the vehicles we drive. Our locally manufactured products, made famous by the auto industry, are much more widespread than 100 years – or even 20 years ago. In fact, many of the products are produced for the medical, food, defense, consumer goods and aerospace industries. The expertise that our local companies have built over the last several decades have made this area a global leader in making stuff.

By: Melissa Roy

Bikes for Everyone

What will you do when the weather gets warm? 500 kids across the East Side will be testing out their wheels on sidewalks of Warren, the streets of St. Clair Shores and bike paths of Sterling Heights. Do you want to be a part of it?

The East Side Bike Drive started out as an idea in the summer of 2016. It became a reality after a community-wide collection effort and hundreds of labor hours from generous and talented volunteers.
This initiative will culminate on May 20th at Freedom Hill. It all began with the thought that we could mobilize more kids around Macomb County by getting them on bikes. What we ended up with is program that has brought our community together, a show of force throughout Macomb County and over 500 bikes for kids on the east side and their families.

Clinton Township proudly displays part of their bike collection effort

Macomb County has a wealth of natural resource assets, great bike trails and biking destinations. In fact, the county has an overall enviable geographic location and enviable community assets. Our collection of communities of varying population, density and character, nestled on the shores of Lake St. Clair and covering the eastern portion of the Detroit Metropolitan Region has also been gifted with a robust agricultural community, three major Huron-Clinton Metroparks and over 30 miles of the Clinton River winding through our local communities and their natural assets.

Despite the wealth of natural resources, access to good jobs and a relatively healthy economy, the health rankings of the county have been historically low.A couple of the driving factors are a lack of mobility and a low percentage of active lifestyles.

This brought us to the conclusion that we needed better recreation access and better recreation marketing.If this was our need, why not free up unused resources (extra bikes in garages across Macomb County) and deliver them to kids?After receiving a bicycle, the kids will have access to recreation, health and their first taste of freedom.

Clinton Township, Macomb Township, Harrison Township, Washington Township, Mt. Clemens, Roseville and Sterling Heights all pitched in to collect bikes.Residents donated brought bikes from all corners of the county and beyond to total 800 bikes.After assessment and repairs, we will have 500 – 600 bikes to give away.

Helga Babich of Sterling Heights is standing at the end a row of repaired bicycles at the Belmont Shopping Center. Belmont generously allowed Advancing Macomb free space for an energized team of volunteers to work on bikes throughout the winter.

Volunteers got started in the late fall – cleaning up the workshop spaces and organizing the bikes for repair over the winter.Repair workshops began in January.The team of volunteers was led by Gary Babich, Ken Koster, Dennis Dickty, Michael Hibbert, and Bill Appleberry.They proudly just completed their last repair on April 20th.

We have begun to assemble a list of recipients, supplied by local schools, Macomb County Head Start and children’s groups across the county.AIT Logistics of Romulus has donated transportation to move the bikes from the workshop to Freedom Hill.

The whole team is excited to see everything come together on May 20th.Bike recipients will also receive bike helmets and safety lessons, bike repair lessons and information from groups across the county that can provide additional resources to families across the eastside – nutrition programs, summer camps, after-school programs and of course – bike clubs and bike shops to promote rides and events throughout the summer. It will be a celebration of cycling, good health and a celebration of fun.

If you would like to volunteer for the final phase during the week of May 14-20th, send us your contact information and availability.

Erik and Israel Nordin are artists in Detroit, their company is the Detroit Design Center.This is their story.

Israel and Erik Nordin (The Nordin Brothers) started the Detroit Design Center® in 1999, well before the current renaissance in Detroit was happening.They worked for their father’s steel company to help pay for school.In 1999, their father retired and the brothers decided it was time to begin creating their art full time.They purchased their studio on Michigan Avenue from him and began buildings objects. They learned about business from their father who taught them important themes that still run true in their company today. “Do what you say”, “pay your bills on time”, “grow slowly” and “dream big”.

The Nordin Brothers grew up in Sterling Heights in a family with six children. Their mother Elayne was a painter and father Ron a musician.Their parents instilled a sense of freedom in the way their children thought about the world.As kids, their parents took them six-month road trip camping to thirty different states.

Israel, “the master builder” (Erik calls him), graduated from the College of Creative Studies with a dual degree in glass and ceramics. Israel is passionate about balance in his art and engineering outside the box.Erik attended Cranbrook and graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in music.He sees visual art through the eyes of a musician which he feels is a huge influence. The Nordin Brothers have lived and worked in the City of Detroit for over 20 years moving there right out of college. Their main studio is on Michigan Avenue, it is a 12,000-sq. ft. building with 2 cranes and ample space for creating large scale pieces. They are opening an event space/gallery in midtown Detroit.The event space will be available for private parties and corporate gatherings as well as weddings, music and other art events. It is planned to open later this year.

Starting with restaurants and homes, the brothers designed both unique visual pieces as well as functional objects like wine racks, gates, railings and other utilitarian pieces. Realizing that many of their pieces could be discarded when the restaurants changed ownership was a catalyst for exploring new opportunities for their works longevity.The Nordin’s say that their connection with architects is once of collaboration.Architects create spaces and we create objects for their spaces.

In 2007 with the collapse of the economy, the brothers started designing furniture and began to work with hospitals and other corporate clients. One of the things they are most proud of is surviving the Great Recession and consisting growing as full-time artists in Detroit.

Coming out of the recession the Nordin’s focused their energy on creating unique art pieces that could have a positive impact for the City of Detroit, many on shoe string budgets.Israel and Erik created the D-burst sculpture which has fallen over the city for New Years and helped attract tens of thousands of people for the celebration.They also created the 25-ft. tall sculptural “Detroit Menorah” which is one of the largest in the country and is used for the Hanukah celebration in Campus Martius each year. People feel passion however it is expressed, say the brothers – people can identify and relate to the struggle of creating something from nothing.

The brothers feel honored to have worked for Dan Gilbert’s companies in Detroit. They created a hand-blown glass coral reef inside of a 700-gallon functioning salt water aquarium full of fish life.

The Nordin’s have five large scale art pieces in the Quicken headquarters as well as having created pieces for Bedrock Real Estate. Recently the brothers were commissioned by Bedrock to search the basements of the historic skyscrapers in Detroit to find “artifacts” that were left behind. Erik says he heard the Indiana Jones theme song in his head as they searched the basements with flashlights.The art piece “Artifacts” is a collage of strange objects like tools and pressure gauges, even a lost shoe found its way into the sculpture.It’s amazing what happens to an object when you dust it off and breathe new life into it -everything has beauty in it, you just have to look for it – say the brothers. The Nordin’s welcome new work and pride themselves on their ability to work with large companies and create pieces that make statements while meeting budgets. Their lead time is 120 days and they are typically working on several pieces at one time.

The Nordin’s have created many corporate pieces that are designed specifically to tell a story about their client’s. They have created donor wall art pieces for Detroit Hospitals like Henry Ford Health Systems which features several of the Nordin’s donor walls as well as Detroit Medical Center where the brothers have created feature art pieces for the lobby of Sinai Grace and the Heart Hospital. The Nordin’s are interested in helping with donor projects in cities as well.

Erik and Israel have been selected on several occasions to create major awards for clients.This past fall they created a sculpture that was selected by Coach Jim Harbaugh to be the Bo Schembechler MVP Award.The sculpture is inspired by the sword and shield symbolizing “going to work and protecting the home”.It is now one of the most coveted awards in University of Michigan football. The brothers were commissioned by the Detroit Red Wings to create a new trophy to celebrate the winner of the Michigan and Michigan State hockey game played in Detroit. The trophy is called the Iron D and will be used each year, like the Brown Jug or Paul Bunyan Trophy is celebrated in football.It will travel to the winning university and now gives the players something to play for in the future.The Iron D is a symbol of their trip to Detroit and the hard work it takes to win the game.The Nordin’s also created the Michigan Torch for the Michigan Games as well as many other trophies and awards. Creating a special piece that will take on a greater meaning and symbolize celebration is one of the artist’s favorite types of projects.

The brothers began their work in city sculpture and public art with the belief that art can bring people together and it can change the way we think.Each of their pieces tells a story and are designed and created specifically for the client they are working with.Currently the Nordin’s have large scale permanent pieces in cities including Detroit, Brighton, Beverly Hills, Troy, Harrison Twp. to name a few.They are currently creating a new piece for Grosse Pointe Park and another for the Detroit neighborhood Corktown, which will be installed near the Train Station on Michigan Avenue downtown. The Nordin’s have been working directly with cities to not only create sculptures, but to help consult on many art related initiatives including placement, location, landscaping, lighting and developing a plan and purpose for the art. Harrison Twp. recently commissioned the Nordin’s to create a welcome sculpture near I-94 and Metro Parkway. Called “Migration”, the sculpture speaks of the community’s love and connection to wildlife which is so prevalent in the area.The brothers are helping the township create sculptures along the bike path that offer their community a moment to sit and contemplate the meaning of the art and further create conversations with people.

“Art is a magical thing, it should create conversations” say the brothers. Our focus currently is to bring people together to celebrate one another using our medium of expression. There is so much divisiveness in the world right now. We feel passionately that we must do our part to create conversations about celebrating one another, celebrating our neighbors and the people closest to us. We must look for the good in one another.

The Grosse Pointe Park sculpture is visually inspired by two sail boats sailing side by side.It symbolizes the Detroit and GPP as neighboring communities, and speaks of the beauty of the Detroit River as well as the idea of sailing sometimes through tumultuous waters.There are calm times of progress and beauty and there are times of struggle and storms, together we can weather these storms and move to a brighter future.Art is a vehicle that symbolizes progress.

One of a kind sculptures, donor art pieces, trophies and awards and consulting are where the brothers are focused today.They love to meet new people and help communities express themselves through art.

In 1967, Jim Jacobs had no idea that the request of a friend would change the course of his life, leading to a 50-year career with Macomb Community College and culminating in the last nine as the college’s president.

At the time, Jacobs was a graduate student at Princeton University and taking some summer classes at the University of Michigan.He considered himself a committed activist and believed that as a college professor, he could be a positive change agent for the country.A friend and professor at Macomb, asked him to speak to her class about the Vietnam War and student activism.

“Two things immediately impressed me,” said Jacobs. “First, the students were real people and included Vietnam veterans, auto workers and homemakers, who were in college asking good questions based on real life experiences. They brought a refreshing perspective that was dramatically different to my experiences at Princeton.

“Second, their concerns focused on two interrelated subjects – the future of the auto industry and the Detroit metropolitan area. Most were originally from Detroit and were frightened about what was becoming of their city in the wake of the 1967 rebellion and were trying to figure out how they as suburbanites connected to the city and a fulfilling future.”

Jacobs took the part-time teaching job he was offered at Macomb rather than seeking a position at a four-year college like his fellow classmates. He notes that his professors at Princeton were “aghast. So, I left Princeton as a sort of black sheep, and it took me an additional 10 years to complete my doctorate.”

After joining Macomb as a professor of economics, Jacobs specialized in the areas of occupational education, change and technology, suburban economic development and retraining displaced workers. He taught until 1994, transitioning into administrative roles and becoming involved in the Community College Research Center at Columbia University, which was established in 1996 and has become the leading independent authority on two-year colleges in the United States. In addition, for more than 30 years, Jacobs presented the highly anticipated Economic Forecast for Macomb County.

Jacobs stepped into Macomb Community College’s presidency in 2008, with southeast Michigan grappling with the depths of the Great Recession. He instituted a multi-year approach to the college’s planning. He guided the institution in developing competencies to seek alternative sources of revenue, aggressively pursuing grants and fostering institutional philanthropy, to ensure the college could continue providing education and training vital to economic recovery.

“As I near the end of my employment at Macomb Community College, I have never regretted my decision to take a different path,” said Jacobs. “I have been given the great privilege of using my talents as teacher, administrator and president to contribute to the future of Macomb County. And, through my time here, I believe I have learned more than I really taught others, and Macomb County has played a significant role in shaping who I am.”

While Jacobs is officially retiring, he plans to continue contributing, including a role with the Ralph J. Wilson, Jr., Foundation.He has been named senior advisor to the president and CEO to provide advice on strategic decisions and investments in opportunities and programs that provide skills training and education that can lead to pathways to good paying jobs and increased independence.

Jim Jacobs’ Macomb story isn’t complete, however, until circling back to Princeton.Two years ago, the Princeton Alumni Association invited him to speak at the graduate reunion, because he was an alumnus now president of an important community college.Jacobs noted, “Both I and Macomb County had arrived.”

Rebuilding Education

Shannon Williams is the new head of Career Technical Education (CTE) programming at the Macomb Intermediate School District. That means that Shannon has a bird’s eye view of how districts throughout the county are serving technical education. CTE is the combination of schools, institutions, and educational programs that specialize in the skilled trades, applied sciences, modern technologies, and career preparation. These schools and institutions have been the backbone of making Macomb County a successful center for manufacturing. Additionally, CTE has been identified as a key needed area of investment to keep our area a global leader in manufacturing and production technology.
In this profile, Shannon shares with Advancing Macomb her background and the people who inspire her to serve the kids and workforce needs in Macomb County.

Shannon Williams

In my role as CTE Regional Administrator, I have the great privilege to service 21 school districts as they expand and evolve their CTE offerings. I am always looking for new and innovative ways for business and education to partner and serve each other — and for both to serve students in the best possible way. This goal helps me consistently find ways in which I can strengthen our existing programs and empower the CTE teachers.

I started my teaching career in Utica Community Schools in 2004 where I taught Business and Technology classes. In 2012 I left the classroom to become the CTE Teacher Leader for Utica. In that role, I helped manage the budget and curriculum for approximately 45 teachers, across 5 buildings, covering 16 different career pathways. I was always extremely proud to work in Utica as they had exception teachers and endless opportunities for students.

In January of 2017 however, I was offered a wonderful opportunity to become the Career and Technical Education Regional Administrator for Macomb County. It was a hard decision to leave Utica but the chance to help all districts in Macomb County advance CTE opportunities for students was something near and dear to my heart.

The world of Career & Technical Education is in constant motion. From new and emerging industries to innovative ways of transforming the classroom environment; I welcome the opportunities and look forward to working with all stakeholders in Macomb County (educators, students, parents, and industry partners). My predecessor Scott Palmer has worked diligently creating partnerships with our robust manufacturing community; I look forward to continuing the work he has started. I also believe we have a growing need to strengthen our curriculum and partnerships in the world of information technology, with specific focus on computer programming and cyber security. It is a very exciting time to be in Career and Technical Education.
A few of the outstanding teachers are profiled below. This is just a sample of how dedicated teachers are throughout our community. There are many programs, many people, many resources – but unfortunately not enough resources to completely fill the needs we have in Macomb and the Detroit area to maintain and grow our globally competitive position in manufacturing and production technology.

Jesse Siress

Jesse has been an outstanding Welding instructor at Stevenson High School for 13 years. He works diligently to prepare students for a myriad of competitions such Ferris State and Boilermakers Local 169 Invitational, American Welding Society, MITES, and Skills USA where his students have qualified for nationals. Jesse stays after school regularly to engage and further enrich his students’ skills with open lab session, advisory committee meetings, and school activities and events. He organizes scrap metal drives, pop cans for certification, and involves his students in repair and maintenance of school property such as desks, chair, and table, thus saving the district much-needed funds. Jesse makes learning fun by involving students in experiments that connect science and math to welding and giving them real-world experiences that mirror industry practices. His students are now able to earn certification in Mig, Tig, and stick welding which provides broader post-secondary options.

Kristy Walker

Kristy loves teaching accounting and all business principles; she is always looking for new and creative ways to teach content. She is constantly finding ways to use real life experiences in her classroom. One student wrote: “Her love and passion …shines every day through her teaching and seeing someone actually enjoy spending quality time with their students is so refreshing. One of my life goals is to become as true and amazing as she is. It is such a privilege to say that my teacher is my idol.”

Darrel Shepherd

Chef Darrel Shepherd is the culinary and food instructor at South Lake High School. Chef Shepherd motivates students by keeping them actively engaged in learning. He brings students into the school’s restaurant, South Lake Bistro, and guides them through the planning and creation of meal menus. Students then prepare and cook the menu items under his direction. He also provides endless opportunities for community service hours, a requirement for students to graduate. He participates in events such as Empty Bowls at Assumption Church and provides Thanksgiving meals for those less fortunate.

Carol King

Carol King is a master teacher of health and sports medicine that has shown her commitment to The Pankow Center and her dedication to students. Carol is a life-long learner and is always sharing her experiences with her students. She looks for unique ways to engage them in meaningful and fun activities that foster their development and growth. She is effective in her classroom management and is very organized in her approach to teaching. Above all, Carol is willing to adjust instruction and adapt to the needs of all students. It is precisely this combination of creativity, care for others, and deep sense of professional responsibility and personal growth that make her such an incredibly effective teacher. Acknowledgment of her strengths by her colleagues is universally understood and as a result, she is held in the highest regard.

Why are Trees Important to Your Community?

By Gerard P. Santoro, AICP

We’ve all heard about ash trees dying in mass due to this pest called the emerald ash borer, but have we taken inventory of what has happened to our neighborhoods as a result? Well, when Macomb County Department of Planning & Economic Development participated in a Regional Green Infrastructure study in 2012, we learned just how devastated our urban forest canopy has become. Not just the ash trees have been affected. Before that was the Dutch elm disease, and we also need to account for those trees lost due to aging, utility repairs, and storm damage. When we looked at the data, it became very evident that the areas in Macomb County along and south of the Main Branch of the Clinton River were hit especially hard within the southeast Michigan region. Hit so hard that we barely have 50 percent of what is recommended by U.S. Forestry standards.

This quickly became a new area of focus for the Land and Water Division of Macomb County’s Department of Planning & Economic Development as we understood what was meant by the severe lack of trees.Trees provide many benefits to urban and suburban areas as they not only help clean the air and naturally store storm water to assist in reducing flooding, but they also provide public health benefits and improved recreational opportunities.The Right Tree in the Right Place for the Right Purpose can also provide savings in energy costs and increase property values.These are the types of programming areas that the county is spearheading, along with many partners including all of the local communities in our initial targeted area, utility companies, and other agencies throughout the region.

With the assistance of both state and federal grants, the Partnership has taken shape over the last year since Associate Planner Brent Geurink and I have introduced the concepts to a somewhat cautious audience.For many years, silver maple trees, ash trees, and poplars were widely planted due to their inexpensive costs and rapid growth potential.These trees, however, are some of the species that have provided non-optimal results due to weak branches, extensive root systems that break up sidewalks and interfere with utilities, or litter that falls at certain times of the year. These trees are now entering the end of their life cycles in established areas and are not necessarily being replaced.It is with these concerns, along with setting achievable standards to meet each community’s needs, that the partnership is blooming with success.Based on technical information developed with the county’s Geographic Information System (GIS) and digital aerial photography, specifics that look at tree canopy cover parcel by parcel and block by block have been created.We now have a complete guide and road map that has been customized for each community to use as a means to make very informed decisions.

The Green Macomb Urban Forest Partnership also allows the County to work with other regional agencies to procure funds that help inventory, provide stock, and assist with evaluation of policies that affect the local communities and their ability to make useful and cost-saving decisions.Most recently, the partnership has developed a relationship with the regional soil conservation district.This agency has typically assisted farmers in northern Macomb County and other areas in the Thumb with best management practices to have healthy growing opportunities.These same concepts are now being employed in the urban and suburban areas of Macomb County with very innovative programming that will allow for education-based opportunities for the community and the schools.We’ve even created a specialized reduced cost Spring 2017 Tree, Shrub and Plant Sale that will take pre-orders up until April 6, with distribution at Freedom Hill County Park kicked off with our first-ever Countywide Arbor Day Celebration on Friday, April 28 starting at 10 a.m.

We encourage all Macomb County residents and business owners to get involved.It is easy for the county and our partners to find ways to plant trees in public areas and right-of-ways, but it is not as easy to plant trees in everyone’s private yards or businesses, which represent about 80-85 percent of all land holdings in Macomb County.Therefore, consider becoming a part of this reforestation movement by participating in the tree and plant sale and planting trees and shrubs on your own property.All information regarding this new Green Macomb Urban Forest Partnership, as well as planting guides for local homeowners, can be found on our website: Green.MacombGov.org.

…and remember, plant the right tree in the right place for the right purpose!

Advancing Macomb is a proud sponsor of the Macomb Business Awards, which showcases innovative businesses across Macomb county. Our featured company is the winner of the Diversification Leader Award, Baker Industries, who is also celebrating 25 years in the business. Baker shares with Advancing Macomb how diversification and customer satisfaction drive their continued success.

Starting out small in 1992, Baker has grown significantly and is still -privately-owned. They have grown into a tier one and a tier two supplier in the automotive and aerospace industries. Their growth is a testament to their ultra-responsive attitude towards their customers. Baker Industries was built by people that are designers, engineers, machinists and fabricators that are very passionate about what they do. They build the tools that make their customer’s products work. They are creative, sharp, and dedicated to figuring out how they can make every project better – more ergonomic, lighter, more precise, faster and smarter.

Never forgetting their roots beginning as Baker Duplicating, a three-person duplicating shop in 1992, they transitioned to Baker Machining & Mold Technologies 2000 and in 2011, created Baker Aerospace. By investing in design, engineering, fabrication, machining, tooling, and most recently, 3D printing, they can provide their customers a greater breadth and depth of services. They are now pushing forward boldly, growing, innovating and energized with the new name and new look of Baker Industries.

Their 25-year milestone provided Baker a prime opportunity to reposition and rebrand their business to better demonstrate their forward momentum and bold attitude. 25 years ago, Baker industries started small, survived through historical economic downturns and even grew into a larger and more successful company. Baker attributes a great deal of this success to hard work. They also like to think, however, that their years of success can be attributed to a combination of the ability to evolve with the ever-changing landscape of the manufacturing world and the persistent dedication to solving their customers most complex challenges along with a dedicated team of experts.

At the heart of their accomplishments is listening to their customers, the willingness to take risks, and the grit to provide a better product and better service. Responding to customer challenges and feedback has pushed Baker to continuously improve. The leadership and team at Baker know that the manufacturing world is an ever-changing place that necessitates an ever-changing business model. The desire and ability to change is a key ingredient to their to-date success and how they plan for the next 25 years.

They also know that building upon industry leadership and expertise requires further dedication, innovation, and execution of critical strategies. It’s part of their culture that the goals are challenging and the work is hard but the rewards high. Their 25-year milestone provides them an opportunity to both reflect on the past and to look forward to the future. As they celebrate, they want to say “Thank You” to their customers and employees, both past and present because they understand that people are their most important resource. Baker feels that the last 25 years has made them a proven, prepared and a proud competitor that is ready for the future.

Nearly 400 people gathered for the 5th Annual Macomb Business Awards on February 14th. An event designed to celebrate innovative, forward-thinking and community-minded businesses throughout Macomb County, it’s also a great event to meet local business leaders. Read More